Silverback Gorillas

Yet due to detrimental human activity, such as poaching, civil war, and habitat destruction, the mountain gorilla, a subspecies of the eastern gorilla, has become the most endangered type of gorilla. Currently, the mountain gorilla's habitat is limited to protected national parks in two regions of Africa. © Animal Fact Guide 2007 - 2019

Silverback gorillas live high in the mountains in two protected parks in Africa. They are also referred to as mountain gorillas. Silverback gorillas continually wander through their home ranges of 10 to 15 square miles, feeding and resting throughout the day.

Adult male mountain gorillas are called Silverbacks because of the silver saddle of hair on their backs.

Silverback gorillas weigh approximately 350 pounds- about twice the weight of normal adult man.  Gorillas are herbivores, and eat only plants. They spend most of their day foraging for food and eating bamboo and leafy plants

Silverback gorillas were not even known to exist until 1902. Today their habitat is being destroyed when people use the land for farming and the trees for fuel. Gorillas are also killed by poachers and sometimes get caught in poacher’s snares meant for other animals. The Silverback Gorilla is the most endangered species of Gorilla.

GORILLAS, share 98.3% of their DNA with humans, making them our closest cousins after chimpanzees and bonobos. They are charismatic, highly intelligent and often display emotions similar to our human experience.